GUEST BOOK 1998

We invite you to add your thoughts, ideas and comments about this website, the book Kurdistan: In the Shadow of History, or the traveling exhibition. After eight years of touring, the exhibit was displayed for the last time in Paris at the Hotel de Ville during the summer of 2004. An excerpt of the original show was presented at the International Center for Photography in New York, September 19, 2008–January 4, 2009; and at the Zilkha Gallery at Wesleyan University, Fall 2008.

Please note: we reserve the right to edit comments for inappropriate and/or profane language.

This is a nice site! I'm happy to know that Kurds are doing such great
work for their sake without blending politics. (I know of course this is
a political question, but I hope that this is a more Convenient method,
without doing too much with politics!)I'm writing a paper about Kurds and
I'm looking for a detailed map of Kurdistan, but don«t know where to find
it. If anyone could give me some suggestions... I'm in Uppsala, Sweden
studying cultural anthropology and since then I started to write an essay
about a Kurdish folktale: Siyamend U Xece. For doing a structural analysis,
I need maps of Kurdistan and of the area around lake Van. I would also
appreciate any material on Kurdish literature and a translation of the
actual folktale. In the future I'll need help with answering some more
specific questions. I Would be grateful for any contacts! Please write
to me. (Uppsala University hasn't written a cultural anthropology paper
about Kurds in twenty years (or so). I'll be the first since!
and I have already been gripped with the fate of these people. I'm fascinated!
Thank you for a good site and I hope to hear from a lot of people.
Maria in Sweden

This site was a good one (but I miss detailed maps of Kurdistan) I study cultural anthropology and I'm the first one to write about Kurds in Uppsala, Sweden. It's terribly difficult to find papers about Kurds in English or Swedish. Bruinessen is just an angel, but I need more angels. The people of kurdistan are admirable people with "bad luck", but they still exist as a people. I wish them good luck, but I cant't possible be an optimist for the next twenty years. I wish you all a good future (I'm not a pessimist). You can contact me if you want and if you think you can help me with my work.
Greetings from Maria

Dear Ms/Mrs, As a patriot student from Amed the capital of Kurdistan I
would like to inform you regarding my great happiness for your contribution
to the hidden spirit of Kurdish culture, arts, history.... As you know,
the biggest nation without their own country, kurds have been Oppressed
throughout history.. So as a result, we did not have enough chances or
maybe opportunities to seek and find out our historical treasures. But
we all know that there was and is a great civilization here in Kurdistan.
Unfortunately, there was not an adequate number of surveys or investigations
held either by the kurds or international experts. So, for the ones who
have the chance and facilities (also volition and determination) investigation
of Kurdish culture is a necessitiy. It is clear that you have enough of
all these properties. I hope that one day there will be an opprotunity
for us, Kurdish youth, to meet with you and and also other writers, thinkers
and artists in free Kurdistan. I am sure that we have a lot to learn by
talk with you. Again, special thanks and congratulations for your efforts
and labor.. All the best and success....

Submitted by: Ali Amed, KURDISTAN
Date: December 1, 1998

Today it is proved in scientific studies that kurdish's root is pro-turkish and Kurds are a klan amongst 24 Turkish klans.None of these humanist(!) European including their historians can prove that these studies are wrong but they ignore.
Europeans still have the mentality of crusade times.But we won't allow anyone to divide our country with lies.My ancestors came to Anatolia 8000 years ago and became the first natives in most places. Turks will live in their homeland forever.
The biggest sorrow is; Kurds believe in lies and do not know the truth about their own history. One day they will understand that they betrayed themselves.

3- Do you have unity of ideas on fundamental issues among yourselves or do some Kurds of Turkey actually fight against "invader Kurds" (PKK)?

Questions can go on and on, but there is no need to loose time because the game is played on much bigger scale and those countries who seem to help your issues in fact don't care about Kurds at all.

Finally I am sorry I can not give my name as I am afraid you would kill me -as you do these things you know-... And I am sure none of those above non-Kurdish people know that you do these kind of things.

Submitted by: Don't want to be a victom!
Date: November 14, 1998
Subject: Snap out of it.

I find your site most interesting, and plan to explore it more thoroughly.

Although I am concerned about the flight of the Kurds in the various lands in which they live as a persecuted people during this last decade of the 20th century, I must confess that I feel a sense of outrage and deep sadness when I see references to "Kurdistan" as if it is some sort of natural, God-given homeland.

This region, as defined by the map on your site, includes large portions of eastern Turkey -- also known historically as Anatolia -- which, until the second decade of this century was predominantly inhabited by the Armenians, for whom this area had been "homeland" for thousands of years.

During the late 19th and early 20th century, culminating in the catastrophic events of 1915-1922, the Armenian people were virtually erased from the map of that region -- eithit is some sort of natural, God-given homeland.

This region, as defined by the map on your site, includes large portions of eastern Turkey -- also known historically as Anatolia -- which, until the second decade of this century was predominantly inhabited by the Armenians, for whom this area had been "homeland" for thousands of years.

During the late 19th and early 20th century, culminating in the catastrophic events of 1915-1922, the Armenian people were virtually erased from the map of that region -- either massacred, "deported" or driven out by the Turkish military and gendarmarie, with the close collaboration of other ethnic groups in the region -- notably the Turks and the Kurds. One of the great travesties of this century has been the fact that this event -- genocide on a massive scale -- has gone unaccounted for and is scarcely recalled. The Turks, of course deny it, like the Nazis denied the Jewish Holocost.

What is unacceptable, however is for those who rightfully advocate for the plight of the Kurds, to also ignore, downplay or sweep under the carpet, the role the Kurds played in this earlier attempt to exterminate an entire race of people. Your site contains only marginal reference to this event, and should, perhaps do something to put this historical tragedy into perspective.

Thank you for your consideration.

Submitted by: Mekongmai
Date: November 9, 1998

I don't know anything the unknown images but I know what it is to be helped. Being Kurdish, I am really in debt to you for your courage and scientific attitude to the serious subject.

I am an swedish man whom are having an kurdish girlfriend.
And because of respect of here origin and culture I would like to learn more about Kurdistan.
I think it is very interesting at the same time it«s horrible.
But I feel like an idiot because I can never understand what it«s all about, but I promise that I will do my best.
I would like to say hi to my girlfriend Nusin who is an au-pair in London.

Remember that I LOVE you very much and that I miss you.
See you 21 of December

November 3, 1998
I am a Kurdish woman,and have lived in the United States since 1977. In the earlier years in college when my class mate would ask me where was I from I would say "Kurdistan" with pride. However, the response was where? because they did not know where Kurdistan was.

I had a habit of carrying a small map of middle east with me, and that's when it realy came handy and I would take it out and show them the location where Kurdistan exist so they would believe me.

The reason I am telling you this is because now almost everyone is aware of the Kurdish issues, and they know Where Kurdistan is. I would like to thank you, and others like you who worked so hard to explaine the Kurdish situation and show the Kurdistan map on the website. You have made it so easy for people like me who wants to read and learn while browsing on the website.

PS: I work for the Multi-cultural Human Services, so this website is also important for me in my line of work.
I am constantly teaching and lecturing about the Kurdish culture, relegion, family values, and etc...
I just want to say that your dedication is appreciated beyond words, Keep up the good work.

May the dream of your people come true. I have made a link to your website under "Politics" hoping to teach as many people as possible about your just cause!
http://www.umassd.edu/1academic/cengineering/rlaoulache/

Susan, as the mother of a first generation Kurdish-American son born on New Roz (March 21), I was fascinated at the article in my local newspaper. I am anxious to obtain as much information as I can for my son so he is aware of his heritage and his dad's culture. Your objectivity in explaining all the history and eliminating the politics is so important. Your dedication in undertaking this task is appreciated beyond words. Keep up the good work !!!!!

If you decide to explore the Kurdish-American culture of today's world, please feel free to contact me.

What a wonderful web-site. My husband is Kurdish and we were able to meet Susan in Houston when they showed her pictures at a gallery. The pictures were breathtaking in their detail and portrayal of emotions. He's always looking for Kurdish sites on the Internet. Just something that reminds him of the life he used to lead.

I say that this book is a must-have for all Kurds and non-Kurds alike. If we don't learn from our mistakes (Sadaam) we are doomed to repeat them. Non-Kurdish have made a large mistake by ignoring Halabchah and the Kurdish.

Submitted by: Sylvia & Ihsan Hajo
Date: September 2, 1998

Articles and photographs of the Kurds in Turkey at:
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/9574/kurd.htm
Interviews, articles and photographs of the yezidi Kurds in Armenia at:
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/9574/armenia.htm
pages include a personal thank you from Amarik Sardarian, editor of Riya Taza, for your book..

My only relationship to things and people Kurdish is very tenuous: a recent trip to Turkey, where I did, or didn't see a Kurd. But your website is one of the most thoughtful and interesting I have come across, and I wish you every success in the continuation of this important work.

For your information, I got the address for your web page from the January 10, l998 issue of the New York Times.

Good to find your site. as a young boy in the 1940's living in Kirkuk I accompanied my father on visits to Walash and vividly remember the warm hospitality of our hosts and the beauty of the mountain countryside. Best wishes to you all.

In the summer of 1991 I was part of the US Operation known as Provide Comfort. For 6 weeks I was stationed in Sirsink (excuse me if I miss-spell anything) at a captured Iraqi Air Base. It was the hardest 6 weeks of my life. I saw way to much pain, suffering and death. I witnessed the sad retreats of the Peshmerga with thier wounded and the dead. I had a young kurdish girl die in my arms as the blood ran out of the wounds created when she walked on a land mine. I ducked sniper bullets and came near to death myself on several occasions in that scared land. I lost a friend, a US airborne soldier, when he walked on a land mine searching Zacho. This site is more then it's whole, it is the Kurdish world.

Dear Friends! I'm a kurdish student in Vienna/Austria and just surfed the net for some kurdish sites. I will set a link from my homepage to your site. It is professional done and what I liked most, is that it is not related too much to present parties, but to our own history and our permanent awareness of who we are! So keep on!

I have been surfing the net for a long time, and finding this site made me very proud of my heritage and of being a kurdish.Iam a student in jordan and our family has been there for a long time...but that didnt make me forget for a second that i am kurdish and that i am proud of being one.

Thankyou for this wonderful site..believe me that it is very reliefing for me to find a link to what i am...
thanks
p.s.please can you advice me in relating to Kurdistan websites.

I am a young kurd who live in Sweden and i want thank you for doing a great job. The work that you do helps the kurdish culture to survive.
It makes me and my friends to be proud of ourselves.

ZOR;ZOR SPASS

Submitted by: C.A
Date: May 20, 1998

I am a kurdish youth living in Australia. I would like to congratulate you for making such a intresting and wonderfull site for the users of the internet.After seeing this site and the photos that was included, I felt a sense of belonging to a culture that has been forgotten and at times destroyed in the hands of countries that have no respsct for human right's of individuals and their culture's identity.

once again I thank you Susan for making the effort and speaking out for a forgtten nation.

Submitted by: ribvar
Date: May 18, 1998
E-mail: ribvar@hotmail.como

Very good work. I congratulated on your work for the Kurdish people in kurdistan and all over the world

At the hour of their greatest crisis Kurds need such quality contribution. I am recommending this book to everyone who cares about the victims of international politics. Congratulation to Susan Meiselas for her excellent effort to highlight the plight of Kurds.

Submitted by: Handren Marf
Date: May 4, 1998
E-mail: Handren@aol.com

Browsing the web and found your sight, it is fantastic, you are a great historian, seer, and visionary. All the best Hillary

I think that you all have done a good job, and discussed a important matter. It is important to know your roots
and your culture. You could always take up the Kurdish situation right know, that would be interesting
to a 16 year old Kurdish girl from Sweden

Date: April 2, 1998
E-mail: HotmailCornelia111@

This is a truly magnificent site. Thanks for the history lesson.

Submitted by: Terry Milner, March 10, 1998

I was so excited to see akaKURDISTAN homespace. It was a very emotional experience for me as a Kurd who is looking for her Kurdish identity.

Submitted by: Zine, February 5, 1998

Congratulations on such a wonderful and important book and an outstanding website. This is truly a gift to all
lovers of photography, new technologies, history and the Kurdish people.

Submitted by: Roman Baratiak, January 19, 1998

Great and important work.
Congratulations to everyone who is responsible.
Proof that new technology can be used in human and humane ways.
An amazing experiment in digital history.

Submitted by: DeeDee Halleck, Jan 13, 1998

You are to be congratulated on your work for the Kurdish people. Turkey's continuing violation on human rights
makes it impossible for Turkey to join Europe. EU's basic rules call for respect of human rights and the
establishment of democratic institutions before joining as a member. Turkey's military dictatorship does nothing
to enhance the quality of life for Turkish citizens. Wide distribution of information such as your may help tip
public opinion for Kurdistan and its heroic people. This issue may yet be settled as we enter a new millennium,
but I have not illusions...Kemalist Turkey has been practicing genocide since 1895 beginning with Armenian
massacres. Ottoman Turkey was just as bad. Thus, there is no compelling reason for the civilized world to hope
for better things to be done voluntarily. Only international opinion will work in the end.